Halloween weekend offers another reason to spend time outdoors in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia: watching the changing autumn night sky.

The Moon is waning after October's full Moon, and several bright stars and planets offer accessible viewing targets when conditions are clear.

Look for the Moon and nearby bright stars

During the late evening of October 29 and into October 30, skywatchers can look for the Moon in the general region of Taurus and Orion, with the prominent stars Aldebaran and Betelgeuse as reference points.

Around October 31, the Moon also appears near Pollux, the bright star associated with the constellation Gemini.

Exact positions change through the night, so a current sky map can help observers identify the objects correctly.

A planetary sight before dawn

Late-night and early-morning observers can look east for Mars and Jupiter, with the bright star Regulus nearby during Halloween weekend.

Binoculars are optional for those brighter sights, though they can be helpful for examining star groups.

A safe, easy family outing

Choose a safe public viewing location away from strong streetlights, check weather and site hours, and allow your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark.

Bring warm clothing and use a dim red flashlight to preserve night vision.

Avoid stopping along narrow mountain roads or entering closed park areas after hours.

Remember the clock change

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2 a.m. in Tennessee and Virginia; clocks move back one hour.

The earlier sunsets that follow may make after-dinner stargazing easier for families.

For a simple Halloween-weekend adventure, a clear view of the eastern sky can be enough to make the evening memorable.